Wednesday 6 November, 2024

Twitter is overflowing with lovely tributes to the late Bill O'Herlihy

He is being remembered as the voice of many people’s childhoods.

Image Ref. No. 2376/013 RTÉ RTÉ

THE COUNTRY HAS been rocked by the news that legendary broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy died overnight.

The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes to the sports broadcaster, affectionately known as Billo, with many sharing their memories of him.

O’Herlihy’s former colleagues from within RTÉ paid tribute to him

Shocking news. Sad day. RIP Bill O'Herlihy. pic.twitter.com/0h56SwSKWJ
— George Hamilton (@HamiltonRTE) May 25, 2015

George Hamilton / Twitter

Terrible news that Bill O'Herlihy has passed away. Outstanding presenter and even better man. Honoured to have worked with him. RIP Bill.
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) May 25, 2015

Didi Hamann / Twitter

Devastating news on the death of our friend and colleague Bill O'Herlihy. Broadcasting was his passion. Family was his joy. Thanks Billo.
— Ryle Nugent (@ryle_nugent) May 25, 2015

Ryle Nugent / Twitter

Speaking on RTÉ News at One, his friend and fellow panelist Eamon Dunphy called him “a fantastic broadcaster and a very, very nice man”

Image Ref. No. 2010/028 RTÉ RTÉ

Dunphy also stated that Bill O’Herlihy was “the most important person on that panel and the catalyst for all that was good about it”.

Bill was a very decent guy, but he also had a journalist’s sharp instinct.

As Ian Dempsey pointed out, one word has kept cropping up again and again…

One word is coming up all the time - ‘Gentleman’ - Bill O’Herlihy RIP pic.twitter.com/jcunfCvfs5
— Ian Dempsey (@IanDempsey) May 25, 2015

Ian Dempsey / Twitter

Shocked & devastated to hear Bill O'Herlihy has died. My sincere condolences to his family. The RTE family has lost an icon & a gentleman.
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) May 25, 2015

Jacqui Hurley / Twitter

Shocked to learn the sad news Bill O'Herlihy passed away this morning. What a true gentleman, great broadcaster and true friend. RIP Bill.
— Eamonn Coghlan (@EamonnCoghlan1) May 25, 2015

Eamonn Coghlan / Twitter

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Meanwhile, Giovanni Trapatoni’s former translator Manuela Spinelli shared this lovely memory <3

Very sad to hear of the passing of Bill O'Herlihy! I'll never forget discussing how to translate 'okey dokey' with him. #RIPBill
— Manuela Spinelli (@SpinelliManuela) May 25, 2015

Manuela Spinelli / Twitter

And Risteard Cooper, who lovingly took Billo off on Aprés Match, also had some lovely words to share

risteard RTÉ / YouTube RTÉ / YouTube / YouTube

All of Après Match are devastated. What a broadcasting colossus and what a gentleman. Love to his family. RIP #Bill O'Herlihy
— Risteárd Cooper (@RisteardCooper) May 25, 2015

Risteárd Cooper / Twitter

As people have pointed out, he was at the heart of so many Irish sporting memories

Image Ref. No. 2248/074 Rte Rte

My favourite memories of sport through the years were all stitched together with O'Herlihy thread - rest easy Bill #Legend #okeydokey
— Jack Dinan (@JackDinan) May 25, 2015

Jack Dinan / Twitter

Italia 90, USA 94, Saipan, and so much more. Bill O'Herlihy was the face and voice of the sport I grew up with. May he rest in peace.
— Stephen O'Leary (@stephenoleary) May 25, 2015

Stephen O'Leary / Twitter

Saddened at the news of Bill O' Herlihy.
Childhood memories of Golden Irish sporting moments Bill was always at the helm.Thank you Bill
RIP.
— Nicky Byrne (@NickyByrne) May 25, 2015

Nicky Byrne / Twitter

In fact, he was a fixture of all our childhoods

BILL

There are memories, voices and matches that instantly bring you back to your childhood. Bill O'Herlihy is one of those faces/voices. RIP
— David Power (@dapower) May 25, 2015

David Power / Twitter

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And some of our early adult experiences…

V sad to hear about Bill O'Herlihy's death. He was indirectly responsible for possible one of my weirdest ever clubbing experiences.
— Lisa Carey (@msleedy) May 25, 2015

Lisa Carey / Twitter

1996, late Saturday night out in Columbia Mills, audience somewhat "refreshed", next minute the visuals change to A GIANT BILL O'HERLIHY.
— Lisa Carey (@msleedy) May 25, 2015

Lisa Carey / Twitter

Cue great bemusement, DEAR GOD WHAT HAVE I TAKEN, etc. Then realize we are in fact watching the Olympics on RTE Sport.
— Lisa Carey (@msleedy) May 25, 2015

Lisa Carey / Twitter

We all watch the swimming from the dancefloor. Michelle Smith wins, thanks to being on more drugs than we are. Giant cheers, music resumes.
— Lisa Carey (@msleedy) May 25, 2015

Lisa Carey / Twitter

<3

In short, he was a one-off

Bill O' Herlihy was one of those few people who the entire nation felt like they knew personally. There won't be another like him. #RIPBillo
— Josh Prenderville (@JoshPrender7) May 25, 2015

Josh Prenderville / Twitter